Prim got up and walked into the office. Mrs. Hency gestured to the chairs in front of her desk, before going to her seat behind the desk. Prim took one, sitting on the very edge. She played with the strap of her bag, trying to keep her hands busy so they would stop shaking.

Mrs. Hency opened the file on her desk. She looked up at Prim, who reluctantly met her eyes. "Miss Ryan your file states that you have taken more than just the required credit hours for a junior. You have taken extra courses independently and passed each with an A. I would like to have you test out of your junior classes, and continue on the rest of the year as a senior. You will have enough credits to graduate in June. Are you okay with this."

Prim never expected this. She knew she had done well, but didn't think it would make something like this happen. The only reason she had taken those extra classes was because she had no social life. Relaxing a bit, she let herself smile. She said, "Wow. I never thought about it. I don't think it will be a problem. Have you talked to my parents?"

"I thought I would ask you first. I will call them right now. So we can get you started right away," she said as she was picking up the phone.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Teague was at home, as he wasn't due to start work until the next week. He was an executive for the Kellogg company. He'd been offered the position of head of advertising. When he was told where he would have to move for it, he jumped at the chance. San Francisco was where the Charmed Ones lived, and he knew that being near them would be good for his family.

The phone rang. Teague was a bit surprised, because it was the first time it had rang since they had gotten there. He hollered to his wife in the kitchen, "I'll get it." He picked up the receiver in the living room, saying, "Ryan residence."

"Mr. Ryan, this is Mrs. Hency, principal at Hyde Park high school."

"Mrs. Hency, is everything alright with my daughters," Teague asked. He was afraid that Bianca or Niall had gotten to them.

"Mr. Ryan your daughters are fine," Mrs. Hency said reassuringly. "I was calling because of your daughter, Primrose's schedule. I would like to have her test out of the junior courses, so she can finish the year as a senior. Her grades are spectacular and she will have enough credits to graduate in June. Would this be alright with you and your wife?"

"Well, I don't see why not. Just one moment, let me talk to my wife." He didn't wait for her to respond. He put his hand over the mouth piece and yelled for Lavender to come to the living room.

She walked in, surprised to see her husband still holding the phone. She asked, "Is everything okay. Who's on the phone?"

"Everything's fine. The principal called to ask if Prim could test out of her junior classes and finish out the year as a senior. She would have enough credits to graduate in June. What do you think, should we let her," Teague asked. He didn't want to make the decision without her.

"That's terrific honey. Tell her as long as Prim is okay with it, then so are we." Lavender was so proud of her youngest daughter at this moment. She knew her little girl was smart, but never had expected her to be moved up a grade.

Teague put the phone back to his ear and said, "As long as Prim is okay with this, her mother and I don't have any objections." Teague was swelling with pride at the thought of Prim being so smart she would skip a grade.

Mrs. Hency said in reply, "I have Prim in my office. She said it was fine with her as well. I will get her started. Thank you Mr. Ryan. Have a nice day."

Teague said, "No, thank you Mrs. Hency. Have a nice day." He hung up the phone and hugged Lavender. "She will do great, me darlin'," he said with a giant smile.

Lavender hugged him back, and said, "Yes she will." They stood hugging for a few moments, neither thinking about how this would effect Prim. They just wanted what was best for her. Later, they would question this decision. Not sure if it was what was best for Prim, or just pride. Right now though they were just happy about it all.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Mrs. Hency showed Prim out of the office. She saw Chris waiting and asked, "Mr. Halliwell would you be so kind as to show Miss Ryan her locker? Then please bring her back to the office." The principal had a pleasant smile on her face, as she left Prim's side and went behind the counter to get some papers.

Chris wasn't sure what was going on, but he saw Prim's entire face aglow with a smile. This was enough to send his heart into overdrive. He took her hand and escorted her out of the office. They were barely in the hall when he turned her to face him. He asked, "Hey, what's up? You were positively horror struck when you went in. Now you are glowing. What did she have to say to you and why do you have to come back to the office?"

His quizzical look made her swell with pride. She wanted to answer his questions, but her head was reeling from all that had happened. After a minute or so, she found her voice, and said, "I'm going to be a senior. I can't believe it. I never thought about all the extra work I did, I just did it for something to do. Now I'm going to be a senior and graduate in June."

As everything started to sink in, her smile faded. In what seemed like seconds, her eyes turned emerald green, and the fear was back. Chris hated seeing Prim like this. It made his chest hurt to see her so sad. He asked, "What's the matter? Just a second ago, you were so happy. Now, you look like someone told you that you lost everything." She said nothing. Getting more desperate Chris grabbed her by the shoulders, bringing himself to her eye level, he said, "Prim talk to me. You're scaring me."

She looked deep into his jade eyes, feeling he would understand her fear and not tease. She decided to trust him, so she said it all in one breath. This way she wouldn't lose her nerve. "I just realized that now the kids here will have another reason to tease me. I'm used to the fat jokes, but now I will be considered a nerd too. I'm so afraid they will have enough ammunition to finally hurt me so bad, I won't be able to come back from it."

"Who cares what others think. If they tease you, just let it role off. Words can only hurt if you let them. The people who tease just wish they had half of what you have," Chris stated in a matter of fact tone.

"What is it I have? Sure, I'm smart. But that's just because I have no social life. I'm too fat for any guy to notice me. The only reason guys ever notice me is because they want something. Then they don't want to be seen with "Two Ton Tessie" so everything is kept secret. Then they end it once they get what they want," Prim said all this with tears streaming down her face. In her head she thought, Great! Now Chris is going to think I'm a big, fat, cry baby. Who can blame him. I am.

Chris stood to his full height. He cupped her face in his hands and gently said, "Prim, you are smart yes, but you are so much more. You are beautiful, kind, gentle, and I bet funny too. Don't sell yourself short. I told you before I will protect you. Even from losers with diarrhea mouth. Okay?"

The tears had stopped flowing half way through his speech. Prim now looked at him in awe. She didn't know why he was there for her, but she was glad he was. In this moment she found, for the first time ever, a friend and confidante. At least for the first time outside of her family. This was a whole new world for her, and although frightened, she was happy to be here with her new friend. She felt relaxed for the first time in along time. Chris reminded her of T.J. She knew he would have said the same thing.

"Thank you," she said in a small voice. "I really needed that." Prim took a deep breath. She said, "Okay, we better get to my locker. Before the principal sends the blood hounds out for us." This made Chris chuckle. She loved how his eyes lit up when he laughed.

"See. I told you, you were funny," he said. Chris took Prim's hand again, to lead her to her locker. As they walked, he noticed how her hand fit right with his. It was much smaller, but it fit so perfectly. He thought, Wow! I love how this feels, just so right. Then the, now familiar, jolt of electricity went through him. He looked over at the tiny, red head walking with him. She doesn't even realize what she is doing to me. I barely know this girl, but I think I am falling for her. I have to stop, before either of us gets hurt. But, how?

Chris was lost in his thoughts, and didn't see they were at her locker until she stopped abruptly. He felt the jerk on his arm, and turned to see why she had stopped. "We're here," Prim said. "You were out in space there for a minute. What were you thinking so hard about," Prim asked as she opened her locker. She opened her bag, putting everything but her pencil on the shelves. She had several notebooks, her purse, and pens. She hung the bag on the hook, then shut the door.

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Since the death of his charge, T.J., Kyle Brody had been searching for the reason. He couldn't let go of the lose he felt. It was similar to how it had been with finding the killer of his parents. This time though, he knew the who, just not the why. He needed to know. The FBI agent in him wouldn't let it go. He would get so close to finding it, then it would just slip away. He needed help, and knew just where to go for it.

He had avoided going to see her when she wasn't with her sisters. He was so afraid of saying or doing something wrong. He needed some new eyes on this though. Plus, no one had instincts like her. She was very good at her job. Wiccan or otherwise.

Kyle called out her name, as he had done many years before. He was hoping she would still be able to hear him. He waited, unsure if she would even come, had she heard him. He was just about to give up when the tinkling of orbs could be heard. He looked up in time to she her materialize in front of him.

"Kyle, what's up," Paige questioned.

"I need your help," was the quick reply.

"I would be surprised if you didn't. That's usually why someone calls a whitelighter. So what can I do for you that my sisters and I aren't already working on" Paige asked. Her instincts were telling her that Kyle was up to something and didn't want the others to know.

Kyle smirked at how blunt his ex-lover was. He knew she wouldn't have changed too much, but he had thought that time and children would have changed this about her. To him, it seemed as though it had just gotten worse, but in a good way. He said, "Ever since T. J.'s death I have been trying to find the reason for it. Why he and his sisters were being hunted. They are just kids. Yes, magical kids, but not nearly as powerful as the Charmed Ones children. So, why would someone put a bounty out on them?"

That was a good question. Who would want those kids dead, and why? Did the demons know something that they didn't? He could see the look of worry cross over her beautiful face. He knew that she would stop at nothing to figure this out with him.

"I get so close to figuring it out, then all the leads just disappear. The only thing I know for sure is that it started before the children were born. I don't know any of the details other than that. I don't even know where to begin anymore," said Kyle sadly.

"Well first, I think we need to work on the who. If we know who the demon is that hired Bianca and her brother, we will be able to figure out the why. You said you have had leads before, tell me what you have and we will go from there." Paige was determined to find out all she could so that she could protect the Ryan family, as well as her own.

"Well it's as I said, it goes back to before the children were born. Some say it was a family feud. Others have said it was a bitter sorceress, and that her family is carrying out what she had planned. I have heard that an apothecary held a bunch of quatrains on the matter, but the only one to have surfaced was the one about the "Twice Blessed" child, born on "Embolc". I can only assume that means Wyatt," Kyle told her.

"Yes, that is Wyatt. I'll see what I can find out at magic school. I think we should also talk to Leo," Paige said. Seeing the look he was giving her she added, "We'll swear him to secrecy. He won't want to worry Piper, so it shouldn't be a problem. Besides, maybe he can save us from having to dig through all the ancient books."

Still not sure of that being a good idea, Kyle said, "Ok, but we have to make sure he knows that absolutely no one else can find out. Especially not Piper. No matter that I may already be dead, I don't want her to blow me up."

"If she finds out, you'll be lucky if blowing you up is all she does," quipped Paige. "But seriously, let's orb to magic school, to talk to Leo. I have some time before Henry and the kids get home. Follow me," she said as she orbed out.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Coop sat on the couch thinking about what he could do to help his new charges. He understood the block Chris had. After all, he was there when Chris was 13. But, why was Prim so blocked? He wondered what could have happened to this poor girl. Her brother's death was part of it, but not all of it. He knew he needed more information. He would have to enlist some help. He just needed to get the approval of the elders.

Without hesitation, he hearted out to the heavens. When he arrived it took him a moment to adjust to the bright, white columns and mist. Once his eyes were able to focus, he walked toward the first gold robe he saw.

The elder was facing away from him, so he couldn't see who it was. They were clicking and clacking, deep in conversation. He hated to interrupt, but he needed to help his charges. So, he tapped the person on their shoulder, saying, "I'm sorry to interrupt your conversation, but I need to talk to someone about Prim."

The robed figure turned around. It was Sandra. Coop was happy it was her. He knew her well. She smiled up at him and said, "Hello Coop. We were just finishing." She turned to the white lighter she had been talking to. With a few more clicks and clacks, the white lighter disappeared in a swirl of orbs. Turning back to Coop, she said, "Now, what is it I can do to help?"

"Prim is very blocked. I need to know why. It's much bigger than the lose of her brother," he said. He ran a hand through his hair, then said, "I need to enlist some help on this one. I can't take her on a quest like I did Phoebe, because she has already met me as Chris's uncle. So, I need to find a way to find out her past. I was thinking that maybe I could use," he stopped at this point. He wasn't sure if another Cupid getting involved would be good or not. He couldn't ask the Charmed Ones, because they were already too busy. That only left two choices really, Leo or Wyatt.

Sandra stood listening intently. When he stopped, she wondered if he wanted her to fill in the blank or wait for him too. She decided, after a minute or two, to ask, "You were hoping you could use what?"

"Not what, who," he replied.

"Okay. You were hoping to use who," Sandra asked.

"It would have to be Wyatt or Leo," said Coop. "Everyone else is too busy at the moment."

"Why not Chris," she asked.

"I'm afraid that if he got too close to what the problem is, things could end up going wrong," he said. "No I really think it has to be Leo or Wyatt. What do you think?"

She thought it over for a few minutes. After going through all the scenarios, she said, "I think that it should be Wyatt. He has a better chance of getting information from Prim's sister. Heather would probably have the most information. But, he will have to be sworn to secrecy."

"That's where we may have a problem," Coop said apprehensively. "He's as bad, if not worse, at keeping secrets, than Phoebe."

With a sly look in her eyes, she said, "I think I have just the thing that may keep him from spilling the proverbial beans." She turned to walk away. She waved for Coop to follow her, as she headed to the Hall of Council Elders.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Meanwhile, back on Earth it was lunchtime at the high school. Chris went back to his first hour class to make sure he had gotten everything he missed while he was busy with Prim. Once he knew he had, he headed off for lunch.

When he got to the lunchroom, he looked around to see if he could find Prim. He didn't see her anywhere. He thought maybe she was in the bathroom or something, so he grabbed a tray. Nothing the school offered looked remotely appetizing, besides the salad bar. So he fixed himself a Chef salad with Italian dressing, then grabbed a water. He paid the cashier, then went to find a seat.

He scanned the room again, hoping to find Prim. She still wasn't there. He saw Heather sitting with Melinda and went over to them. When he got to the table, he asked, "Hey, have either of you seen Prim? I wanted to see how her day was going."

As he sat down next to his sister, Heather replied, "Prim never eats at school. She claims that school food is to gross for her."

"I would have to agree with her on that one," said Melinda. She and Heather both had salads as well. "But, we do have a killer salad bar. She probably doesn't know."

"No, probably not," said Heather. She looked down at her salad as she played with it. She looked like she was hiding something.

Chris picking up on this, asked, "Something you aren't telling us, Heather?"

"No! No, why would you think that," she asked looking guilty.

Chris knew for sure then, that she was hiding something. She answered a little to quickly and forcefully for his liking. He said, with a sigh, "Spill it. What aren't you telling us about Prim?"

"Well, I don't think I should. I mean, she's my sister. It's her business," she said. Chris saw the look of worry written all over Heather's face. So did his sister.

Melinda, trying to assure her new friend, "Heather, I know whatever it is, it has you worried. If you tell us, maybe Chris and I can help."

With a deep breath, Heather said, "I only have a suspicion. I don't know that it is fact." She really didn't want to worry the new friends she and her sister had made.

Encouragingly, Melinda said, "Okay. Just tell us what you think the problem is. Then we can help you look into it." She grabbed her friends hand and squeezed.

Tears in her eyes, Heather finally said, "I don't think Prim eats."

"What do you mean, you don't think she eats. How could she not eat," Chris said a little too loudly. Quite a few people turned toward the trio. He looks around, then leans in, and whispers, "What do you mean Heather?"

Whispering back she says, "I should say, I don't think she eats much. To be honest, the only thing I have seen her eat in a long time is half a peanut butter sandwich and few crackers." She thought about how long it had actually been since she saw her sister eat more. She really couldn't remember. The thought of her sister, starving herself, made her heart break. The tears finally falling from her eyes.

"How long is a long time," Chris said in a demanding whisper.

Melinda gave him a dirty look. He didn't have to be so forceful with Heather. She wasn't a demon he was interrogating. She said in a nasty whisper, "Chris, can't you see she is hurting here. Just give her a minute before you start with the twenty questions. And drop the attitude, we're all friends here, remember?"

"Sorry," he replied as he looked down at the table. "I didn't mean to be so abrupt."

"It's okay," said Heather. She took a napkin and wiped away the tears. "I know you are just concerned." He voice thick from the tears. "To answer your question, Chris. I don't really know how long. I just know that she hasn't really eaten more than that in a long time. She thinks that I don't notice when she spits food into her napkin. Or that if she actually swallows some by accident, she quickly heads to the bathroom."

"Do you think that your parents know," Melinda questioned.

"I don't think so," her voice coming back to it's normal tone. "Since our brother died, they haven't seemed to notice much. I'm hoping that by moving, and time, they will get better."

Chris sat quietly. He didn't know what to think. The only thing he could think to say now was, "Why? Why do you think she is starving herself?" Then he thought back to the comment she had made about being used to fat jokes. Before Heather could say anything in reply, he said, "She was teased about her weight. She said so this morning."

"Wow, Chris. She must really trust you, to tell you that," Heather said with surprise. "She never talks about being teased to anyone. Well, she used to talk to T.J., but," she stopped mid-sentence.

"He's gone now," Melinda finished for her. At that moment, Heather looked into her eyes. A sister like bond was formed between the two.

"Do you know how badly she was teased," Chris asked softly.

Turning to look him straight in the eye, Heather said, "It was really bad. I used to hear her with T.J. She would be crying on his shoulder. When she had gotten it all out, he would dry her tears and tell her, that those kids were just idiots and not to listen to them. Once he had her calmed down, he would go confront the responsible parties. He would make them apologize. For awhile it had stopped. But, when T.J. died, they started again. Worse then before. I could tell she was hurting, but when I asked about it she would say it was nothing, or make a joke of it."

"Why do people have to be so cruel," Melinda asked. Both girls in tears now.

Chris sat there, trying to control the anger he felt. He wanted to hunt them all down and hurt them the way they had hurt her. He wanted to make them all pay. Melinda feeling his anger, said, "Chris, I know you are angry, but that won't help Prim right now. She needs our support."

Chris knew she was right. He took several deep breaths. He put his head in his hands, seemingly to calm himself. In reality he was sensing for Prim. It only took a couple of seconds, and he had found her in the library. He sat up straight again, realizing he was no longer hungry. He got up to leave, without a word.

Melinda knew her brother needed to get out of the crowded cafeteria. She didn't even question him leaving. Heather looked at her terrified. Worried he would go confront her. Melinda soothed her by saying, "He just wants to find her. He won't say anything. I promise."

Once outside the cafeteria, Chris stood with his head against the wall. The cool, porcelain tile felt good. It helped stop the painful sting of unshed tears. After the pain subsided, he walked toward the library.

As he approached the door, he felt a strong urge to run in there, and pull Prim into a tight hug. He wanted to tell her to stop hurting herself, and show her she was beautiful just as she is. He enter the large room. He looked around and spotted her immediately at the back, reading. He practically ran over to her, stopping a few tables away. His head started to overrule his heart. He couldn't get too close. If he did, he could fall in love with her. And, for Chris, this was just not an option. Before she could look up to find him standing there, he ducked between the shelves. Sensing for an empty bathroom, he orbed out.

Once in the bathroom, he splashed cold water on his face. He looked in the mirror, and said, "Get it together Halliwell. Just friends, that's all." In his head, he said, If you don't allow yourself deeper feelings, then you can't get hurt like in the other timeline. And with that, he dried his face, the mask he had found so useful from the other timeline, in place; he left the bathroom going to his locker.

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A/N: Sorry I took so long with this one. I had a horrible case of writer's block. I hope you all like it. It's not my best, but I am hoping the next will be up to par. Let me know what you think. Thank you all for sticking with the story, even though I haven't updated in a long time. Hugs, Bunnies